New Vande Bharat Express for Jharkhand

Jharkhand welcomed another addition to its transportation network as a new Vande Bharat Express commenced operations between the state capital, Ranchi, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out the inauguration of the train virtually from Ahmedabad, coinciding with the unveiling of several railway projects across different parts of the country. During the virtual event, PM Modi also signalled the commencement of the Hatia-Asansol Express and officially opened the Ranchi-Bondamunda railway line. Furthermore, he inaugurated stalls under the 'One Station One Product' scheme at multiple stations, including Ranchi, Hatia, Govindpur Road, Itki, Muri, Piska, Silli, Tangarbasuli, Tatisilwai, Barkakana, Ranchi Road, and Pradhan Khanta. Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated Gatishakti Cargo Terminals at HURL Sindri in the Dhanbad district and North Urimari in the Barka-Sayal area of Central Coalfields in the Ramgarh district. According to Nishant Kumar, the senior divisional commercial manager of Ranchi, the regular operation of the Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express is scheduled to commence on March 18. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Thursdays, covering the 571 km distance in seven hours and fifty minutes. The Executive AC Chair Car fare between Ranchi and Varanasi will be Rs 2,325, while it will be Rs 1,160 for AC Chair Car without a meal. Departing Ranchi at 5.10 am, the train is scheduled to arrive in Varanasi at 1 pm. On the return journey, it will depart Varanasi at 4.05 pm and reach Ranchi at 11.55 pm, with stops at Muri, Bokaro Steel City, Koderma, Gaya, Sasaram, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction. This marks the third Vande Bharat Express introduced in the state, following the Ranchi-Patna route inaugurated on June 27 and the Ranchi-Howrah route flagged off on September 24 last year.